Finally, the hard work is over. The draft is ready. It’s time to shape that manuscript and release it to the market. Here is where meticulousness matters most. Everything should be particular. Editing is an important aspect of modeling your manuscript. Before sending your book to the publishing desk, ensure that it is well edited. Hire the right freelance history book editor. Use the following tips and tricks to improve your manuscript.
The Options
Editing a book is very important. Here, you have two options. They include:
- Self-editing
- Using an editing service
Self-Editing
Self-editing involves editing the book by yourself. You have to sit down, concentrate, and go through your book from one page to another. You need the skill to identify and correct grammatical errors. You must also ensure that the style is correct. Self-editing involves a lot of elements. This process takes time and effort. Also, it takes a lot of skills. If you don’t have the time and skill, don’t self-edit. Contact a professional book editor.
Professional Editor
Hiring a professional editor can cost money. However, professional editors have the skills and time to give you quality work. They are trained to identify different mistakes and correct them. The best thing is that you can compare different editors online and choose the right one. Here are a few tips and tricks for selecting the right editor.
Experience
Choose an experienced editor. Select an editor who has handled similar tasks before. Choose an editor who will guarantee you great results. Look at the editor’s past work. Check his/her success rate.
Skills
Editing requires special skills. Choose an editor with high levels of editing skills. He/she should be meticulous. Attention to detail is also very important.
Education Levels
What are the education levels of that editor? Choose an editor with the right education levels. Preferably, choose an editor who has a degree in English or Literature.
Reviews
Read past customer reviews. Don’t choose an editor with several negative customer reviews. Select highly rated editors.
Testimonials
Request testimonials from past customers. Contact each of these customers. Ask them about the editor. What was their experience? These are the things that will help you select the right editor.
Making Your Manuscript Better
Use these tips and tricks to improve your manuscript.
Work on the Plot
Take a close look at your story. Make sure that you’ve included all the important details. Your writing might be incredible, but you need to check your plot. Your readers are eager to discover what happens next. They also want to find out how the story ends.
The plot is the hook of your manuscript. It’s what keeps readers stuck to your writing. For better flow, consider incorporating a series of connected events into your plot. One plot point will keep leading readers to another plot point.
Is your plot engaging and believable? Don’t forget to check the minor plot threads as well. They play a significant role in creating style and flow. Any glaring holes can turn off the reader. So, be sure to re-read your manuscript carefully and eliminate such errors.
Main Characters
Choose your characters carefully. Take your time developing strong characters that’ll positively impact your storyline. Make sure that your characters possess clear traits, strengths, and weaknesses. None of your characters should have similar names as this can be extremely confusing to the reader.
Resolve The Conflict
Introduce a point of conflict and resolution. Make your main characters pass through a certain challenge before achieving their goals. And once you’ve done that, bring your plot to the conclusion.
Conflict is an important element of writing as it causes the reader to wonder whether or not the main character’s goal will be achieved.
Without a challenge, then your story is meaningless. It’s your conflict of they’ll keep the story flowing.
Line Edit It
Go through your document. Check every line and sentence for grammatical and syntactic errors. What point are you driving home? Is your message clear or not? Are the sentences short and succinct?
Although this is a tedious process, it’s very important. You can’t possibly afford to overlook this step. Make sure that every sentence works and belongs. You can effectively manage this process by dividing your book into small sections.
When it comes to book writing, self-editing is extremely important. Remember, no one knows your story as you do.
Read Aloud
Re-read your manuscript. If possible, read it aloud. Doing this will help your brain to skim through all phrases and words. Plus, it’s a great way to identify spelling mistakes, as well as grammatical errors.
Reading aloud will force you to revise every single word. Plus, it’ll help you to listen to the flow and rhythm of your work. Reading aloud will also help you to cut down unnecessary fluff and ensure that your writing is true to your style.
Spell Check
This might sound obvious, but it’s a very important step. Once you’re done writing, run a spell check. Many online tools can help you identify spelling and grammatical mistakes.
Remove Overused Words
Check out for overused words. When self-editing your manuscript, you might find specific overused phrases. This offers you the perfect chance to eliminate those unnecessary words and enhance the quality of your writing.
Some of the most commonly overused phrases include ‘also, but, just, like, however, so, about, maybe, great, and basically. Whereas these words are valid, you don’t have to use them over and over. Repetition can distract your readers from your true message. Aside from that, you’ll also want to eliminate phrases that have been incorrectly used.
The Bottom-Line
Don’t send an error-filled book to the publishing desk. It won’t sell. Edit it first. Remove all errors. Get rid of irrelevant sentences. Ensure that the grammar is ok. Use an editor to check your work. The above tips and tricks will help you improve your manuscript.